Saudi Arabia’s recent execution of journalist Turki Al-Jasser after seven years in prison for social media posts critical of the regime starkly illustrates the kingdom’s ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression and human rights. This event, emblematic of a broader pattern of repression, raises urgent ethical questions about FIFA’s decision to award Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup. The juxtaposition of Saudi Arabia’s brutal human rights record with the global celebration of sport spotlights a serious contradiction that demands scrutiny and action from the international community, football fans, and human rights advocates alike.
Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Record: A Reality Check
The execution of Turki Al-Jasser is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has one of the world’s highest execution rates, with over 300 executions in 2024 alone, many for non-lethal offenses such as drug charges and political dissent. Journalists, activists, and dissidents face imprisonment, torture, and death for peacefully exercising their right to free expression.
Al-Jasser’s case, involving charges of terrorism and treason based on social media criticism, exemplifies how the Saudi state weaponizes vague laws to silence dissent. As Carlos Martínez de la Serna of the Committee to Protect Journalists noted,
“The international community’s failure to deliver justice for Jamal Khashoggi did not just betray one journalist; it emboldened the Saudi regime to continue its persecution of the press.”
This climate of fear and repression starkly contrasts with the values of openness, respect, and human dignity that international sport purports to champion.
FIFA’s Awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia
In December 2024, FIFA formally confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup after an uncontested bidding process restricted to Asian and Oceanian countries. The tournament will be the first-ever 48-team World Cup held entirely in a single country, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s ambition to project a modern, global image through sport.
However, the bidding process itself was controversial. FIFA’s decision to limit eligibility to Asia and Oceania and to expedite the timeline effectively cleared the path for Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about fairness and transparency. Investigative reports have revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino played a key role in facilitating Saudi Arabia’s selection, despite widespread concerns about the kingdom’s human rights record.
The Human Rights Contradiction: Sport vs. Repression
FIFA claims to uphold human rights in its guiding principles, having adopted the UN-backed “Ruggie Principles” in 2017, which emphasize states’ duty to protect human rights. Yet, awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia—a country notorious for executing journalists, suppressing dissent, and violating labor rights—directly contradicts these commitments.
Amnesty International’s Steve Cockburn warned,
“FIFA’s reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk.”
He stressed that without fundamental reforms, workers and residents will face exploitation and even death, with FIFA bearing responsibility for these abuses.
Human rights organizations and migrant workers’ groups have issued a joint statement condemning FIFA’s decision as a “moment of great danger” for human rights, highlighting the risks of legitimizing a regime that routinely silences journalists by imprisonment or execution.
Why Boycott FIFA Saudi Arabia 2034?
The execution of Turki Al-Jasser offers a stark case study of the human cost behind Saudi Arabia’s international image-building efforts through sport. Hosting the World Cup in a country where journalists are executed for expressing dissent sends a dangerous message: sporting prestige can overshadow fundamental human rights.
A boycott of FIFA Saudi Arabia 2034 would:
- Signal global disapproval of Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses, including the suppression of free expression and the use of the death penalty against journalists.
- Pressure FIFA to align its hosting decisions with its stated human rights commitments and ethical standards.
- Amplify the voices of victims and activists who suffer under Saudi repression, ensuring their stories are not silenced by spectacle.
- Encourage governments and sponsors to reconsider their support and demand accountability from both Saudi Arabia and FIFA.
The Broader Impact on FIFA’s Credibility
FIFA’s reputation has been repeatedly tarnished by corruption scandals and questionable decisions. Awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia despite its egregious human rights record risks further damaging the organization’s credibility and alienating fans worldwide.
The controversy recalls the backlash over the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where similar concerns about labor abuses and repression were raised. Yet, FIFA’s failure to impose meaningful conditions or reforms on Saudi Arabia suggests a troubling pattern of prioritizing financial and geopolitical interests over human rights.
The execution of journalist Turki Al-Jasser after seven years in prison for social media posts critical of the Saudi regime is a chilling reminder of the kingdom’s ongoing repression. Awarding Saudi Arabia the 2034 FIFA World Cup while such abuses persist starkly contradicts FIFA’s human rights commitments and undermines the integrity of global sport.
The international community, football fans, and human rights advocates must unite in calling for a boycott of FIFA Saudi Arabia 2034. Only through collective pressure can FIFA be compelled to uphold its principles and ensure that the world’s most beloved sporting event does not become a platform for legitimizing repression and silencing dissent.